Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This collection is a useful supplement to the English Choral Music series on the Naxos label. The earlier discs have each concentrated on a single composer, from Stanford through to Tavener, featuring many pieces that are beyond many choirs. However most Anglican church music is written to be sung congregationally and on this CD we have a good selection of traditional hymns from "All People That On Earth Do Dwell" of 1500 to "O Praise Ye The Lord" by Henry Williams Baker, a pupil of Samuel Wesley. Keith Anderson's helpful essay sets the hymns in their context and reminds us that some hymn writers, Charles Wesley for example, were remarkably prolific while others are now known for only one example. Highlights include a serene and reflective "The Lord's My Shepherd" sung to a tune by Jessie Irvine and a rousing "Jerusalem" with the Marlowe Brass Ensemble blowing up a storm. The Brass Ensemble is heard on seven of the 22 hymns, which leaves us wanting more; the Choir of St George's Chapel sing well and have some stanzas unaccompanied which allows us to hear just how good they are; Tim Byram-Wigfield plays the organ with admirable restraint. The end result is an interesting and enjoyable collection.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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